The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-07-22


Volnixki assented 70 his wife's sug-
gcstion.
So chain was p1t round the dogs
neck. who was by no means surprised
II the ordeal. for he had been used 20
the thing from puppyhood.
Every evening ~ soon a. the stars
came out bright in the day. the young
house wife LET the dog loose In the yard.
Ihereupon. the faithful beast would
shake himself. sniff the air with APP
parent pleasure snd commence his
round Of inspection.
On one occasion. however. the dog
was missed. But he did not 60 far.
since he came back the next day. and
was found quietly installed in his ken
mel. as Il he had never left L.
One Sabbath afternoon. after vcs-
pers, an old man entered the peasant
courtyard. He was over eighty years
Of age. His sti6 bearing. bronzed
complexion and manly aspect at once
revealed the military veteran An
open countcnance set OF to advantage
the spare, silvery locks; two light blue
eyes gave grave and goodly express
sion to his face; while his white nous
tachc grew down over his mouth to
his chin. He wore boots that reached
TO his knees, long overcoat in dark
blue cloth. white necktie and gray
hat. In his hand. for show rather
than use. he held stick with shining
knob, on his breast shone the cross o.
the Legion Of Honor strung to an old
piece o. faded red ribbon. which still
bore black stains due to the gunpow-
der at Waterloo.
The old soldier was received with
tokens Of Kindness and reverence; hs
was shown into the large room which
that day offered an unusually solemn
aspect with its washed and sanded
floor. Some flowers in an earthen.
ware pot on the window-sill diffused
their sweetness over the place, and the
sun shone sweetly through the little
sparkling glass panea
| The two men sat down before the
large deal-tablc; and when the young
woman had brought brandy. bread
and salt, cheese and sausage. they be-
gan TO speak about the war. volnizk
recounted the events at Spichern
Saint-Privat and Buzenval. while the
old man spoke Of Lutzen. Dresden and
Leipsic, Ligny and Quatre-Bras. Ever,
time France and the Emperor's name
were mentioned the old man raised hi
hat Meanwhile the children played
| in the yard. and-that the holiday
should 10 a general one-thc dog wal
lot loose from his kennel.
| Presently the animal appeared OF
the threshold. looked up inquisitivel,
at the aged man. drew near to ant
scented him.
what sort Of dog Is that" in
quired the old soldier; ''he is not from
these parts"
| II brought him back with me from
France" replied volnizki
From France?"
''He's bad animal" said the youn,
woman.
.And disobcdient." said the littI
boy.
| II tried 10 teach him few tricks.
added volnizki. s'but all to no purpose
he understands nothing. absolutel,
nothing"
The old man laughed.
my friends" said he. ''the reason
is obvious. The poor brute doesn't un
derstand your tongue"
"well. now. that beats every thing.'
exclaimed volnizki
| '.Why. Of course; what confidence
can he have in people whose tongue i
foreign to him?" continued the Of,
veteran Of Napoleon. s.How shall n
obey. when he can not understand tn
order that is given?"
THAT" said volnizki. lis thing
never thought Of. And" he added
las / don't know French there is n,
help for II"
"Wait bit" said the old man. a
he turned toward the animal. who's
eyes were attentively fixed on his own
He began 10 speak to the dog in goos
French vernacular: "You don't under
stand word they have 10 say. do you
my friendp On that account they cal
you = wicked dog; but you arc brave
brute. know; and will be most obedi
ent when spoken to in our own deccn
language, won't youw
The dog pricked up his ears, beat tn
floor with his tail. and his whole frame
thrilled with conscious pleasure at tn,
sound Of the old mans voice. Sud
denly. A. il unable TO Withstand so di
rect an appeal. the dog whined
bounced forward and leapcd up {,
the old mans neck. barking with 81
his might
See. whether I am not right" cx
claimed the veteran warrior; whether
he understands me o. not"
| The dog went and came about thu
place. ran from one room to another
with sparkling eyes and quiverins
| limbs. like one who had taken leave o
his senses. He invariably came bacl
to the old man. barking. jumping o.